Blueberry plant named ‘Ridley 1111’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Vaccinium  hybrid plant named ‘RIDLEY 1111’, characterized by its combination of upright to bushy plant shape and strong plant growth vigor, evergreen foliage, earliness of flowering and fruiting, medium fruit size, firm fruit suited to handling, attractive dark blue fruit color and small picking scar. This combination results in higher quality fruit with an earlier availability than other varieties.

Latin name of genus and species of plant claimed: Vaccinium hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘Ridley 1111’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct perennial variety ofVaccinium hybrid (Southern Highbush Blueberry), which has been given thevariety denomination of ‘Ridley 1111’. Its market class is that of afruiting plant. ‘Ridley 1111’ is intended for use as fresh fruit forshipping, customer pick and processing markets and as a home gardenplant.

The new Vaccinium hybrid cultivar is a selection resulting fromseedlings produced in a breeding programme of Vaccinium at Lindendale,NSW, Australia in 2001 from open pollinated seed parent ‘C99-42’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 20,695). The new cultivar was discovered and selected asa single plant within a population of plants of Vaccinium hybrids in2003 in a commercial field plantation environment at Lindendale, NewSouth Wales, Australia. Selection criteria was a combination of strongplant growth vigor, low chilling requirement, earliness of flowering andfruiting, firm fruit suited to handling, sweet berries and small pickingscar. The selection was subsequently evaluated for a number of years atthe commercial at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by cutting propagation since2003 at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia and has demonstrated thatthe new cultivar reproduces true to type with all of thecharacteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained throughsuccessive generations of such asexual propagation.

The new variety has been primarily compared to the variety ‘C99-42’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,695). In Lindendale, New South Wales, Australiathe time of fruit ripening of ‘Ridley 1111’ is classified as ‘veryearly’ whereas the time of fruit ripening of ‘C99-42’ is classified as‘early’. The earlier time of fruit ripening of ‘Ridley 1111’ allows fora greater period of production on farm and an ability to supply freshfruit markets at an earlier date than ‘C99-42’. The time of beginning offlowering of ‘Ridley 1111’ is classified as ‘very early’ whereas thetime of beginning of flowering of time of ‘C99-42’ is classified as‘very early to early’. The leaf width of ‘Ridley 1111’ is ‘medium tobroad’ (mean 31.3 mm) whereas the leaf width of ‘C99-42’ is ‘narrow tomedium’ (mean 25.0 mm). The berry diameter of ‘Ridley 1111’ is medium tolarge (mean 17.3 mm) whereas the berry diameter of ‘C99-42’ is ‘medium’(mean 15.5 mm). The berry shape of ‘Ridley 1111’ is oblate whereas theberry shape of ‘C99-42’ is a round. The berry calyx basin diameter of‘Ridley 1111’ is medium to large (mean 6.8 mm) whereas the berry calyxbasin diameter of ‘C99-42’ is ‘medium’ (mean 5.6 mm). The berrysweetness of ‘Ridley 1111’ is ‘medium to high’ whereas ‘C99-42’ is ‘lowto medium’. This combination of vegetative and fruiting attributesresults in ‘Ridley 1111’ being a desirable variety for very early seasoncommercial production. See Table 1 for comparisons

‘Ridley 1111’ can also be compared to the variety ‘Jewel’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 11,807). The plant growth vigour of ‘Ridley 1111’ is ‘strong’whereas the plant growth vigour of ‘Jewel’ is ‘medium to strong’. InLindendale, New South Wales, Australia the time of fruit ripening of‘Ridley 1111’ is classified as ‘very early’ whereas the time of fruitripening of ‘Jewel’ is classified as ‘mid-season’. The time of beginningof flowering of ‘Ridley 1111’ is classified as ‘very early’ whereas thetime of beginning of flowering of time of ‘Jewel’ is classified as‘early to medium’. The size of the flower's corolla tube of ‘Ridley1111’ is ‘medium to large’ whereas the size of corolla tube of ‘Jewel’is ‘small to medium’. The berry shape of ‘Ridley 1111’ is oblate whereasthe berry shape of ‘Jewel’ is a round. The berry calyx basin diameter of‘Ridley 1111’ is medium to large (mean 6.8 mm) whereas the berry calyxbasin diameter of ‘Jewel’ is ‘medium’ (mean 5.7 mm). The berry sweetnessof ‘Ridley 1111’ is ‘medium to high’ whereas ‘Jewel’ is ‘medium’. Theberry acidity of ‘Ridley 1111’ is ‘medium’ whereas ‘Jewel’ is ‘high’.

‘Ridley 1111’ can also be compared to the variety ‘Snowchaser’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 19,503). The plant growth vigour of ‘Ridley 1111’ is‘strong’ whereas the plant growth vigour of ‘Snowchaser’ is ‘medium’.The leaf length of ‘Ridley 1111’ is ‘medium to long’ (mean 58.8 mm)whereas the leaf length of ‘Snowchaser’ is ‘long’ (mean 63.8 mm). Thesize of the flower's corolla tube of ‘Ridley 1111’ is ‘medium to large’whereas the size of corolla tube of ‘Snowchaser’ is ‘medium’. The berryshape of ‘Ridley 1111’ is oblate whereas the berry shape of ‘Snowchaser’is a round. The berry calyx basin depth of ‘Ridley 1111’ is ‘medium’whereas the berry calyx basin depth of ‘Snowchaser’ is ‘shallow’.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following characteristics of the new cultivar have been repeatedlyobserved and can be used to distinguish ‘RIDLEY 1111’ as a new anddistinct cultivar of Vaccinium hybrid plant:

-   -   1. Upright to bushy plant growth habit    -   2. Very early timing of beginning of flowering    -   3. Very early timing of fruit ripening    -   4. Strong plant growth vigour    -   5. Dark blue berry color    -   6. Berry firmness is firm    -   7. Picking scar is dry        Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the Vaccinium        hybrid parents primarily in very early to early timing of        beginning of flowering and very early to early timing of fruit        ripening whereas the parent varieties are early to mid season in        these characters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show, as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, typicalflower and foliage characteristics of the new cultivar. Colors in thephotographs differ slightly from the color values cited in the detaileddescription, which accurately describes the colors of ‘RIDLEY 1111’.

FIG. 1 illustrates a ‘RIDLEY 1111’ in a commercial field planting.

FIG. 2 illustrates a ‘RIDLEY 1111’ leaf, flower and berry shapes anddimensions.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinctvariety of an Vaccinium hybrid ornamental plant known as ‘RIDLEY 1111’.Plant observations were made on plants grown in Lindendale, New SouthWales, Australia. Unless indicated otherwise, the descriptions disclosedherein are based upon observations made in August 2009 of mature ‘RIDLEY1111’ plants (age 4 years) grown in outdoor field plantings with daytemperature ranging from 21° C. to 23° C., night temperatures rangingfrom 10° C. to 12° C., and light levels ranging from 6 to 8 klux. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics willvary with older or, conversely, younger plants. ‘RIDLEY 1111’ has notbeen observed under all possible environmental conditions. Wheredimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is tobe understood that such characteristics are approximations or averagesset forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety mayvary with variations in the environment such as season, temperature,light quality, light intensity, day length, cultural conditions and thelike. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural SocietyColour Chart, of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2007 edition.

-   Botanical classification: Vaccinium hybrid cultivar RIDLEY 1111.-   Parentage:    -   -   Parents.—Seed parent ‘C99-42’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,695).-   Plant:    -   -   Growth habit.—Semi-upright and bushy.        -   Growth vigor.—Is strong.        -   Plant height.—Is approximately 2.0 m.        -   Plant width.—Is approximately 1.2 m.        -   Flower bud density.—Is medium.        -   Twigginess.—Is low.        -   Time of beginning of flowering.—Is very early (begins late            April to early May; peaks mid July) when grown as an            evergreen in Australia.        -   Time of fruit ripening.—Is very early (begins early to mid            June; peaks mid September) when grown as an evergreen in            Australia.-   Stem:    -   -   Suckering tendency.—Plants typically have 5-7 major canes            per plant from a base 30 cm in diameter on 6 year old            plants.        -   Canes.—Erect to semi-erect with moderate branching; color            greyed orange 198C; 2 year old cane diameter 12 mm, colored            greyed orange 177B, some flaking of bark, current season            wood diameter 3-4 mm, colored yellow green 144C.        -   Internode length on strong, new shoots.—15-20 mm.        -   Fruiting wood.—Numerous twigs to 10 cm in length.        -   Surface texture of new wood.—Smooth.-   Fully developed leaf:    -   -   Length.—Medium to long 60-70 mm.        -   Width.—Medium to broad approximately 30 mm.        -   Shape.—Elliptic.        -   Color of upper surface.—Yellow green 137A.        -   Color of lower surface.—Yellow green 148C.        -   Intensity of color.—Medium.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Undulation of margin.—Weak.        -   Pubescence of upper side.—Absent.        -   Pubescence of lower side.—Absent.        -   Cross sectional profile.—Flat.        -   Longitudinal profile.—Straight.        -   Attitude.—Broad acute to horizontal.        -   Shape of apex.—Is acuminate.        -   Shape of base.—Is obtuse.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Length of peduncle.—To 12 mm.        -   Length of pedicel.—Long 4-6 mm.        -   Number of flowers per cluster.—Median 7.        -   Flower cluster density.—Is medium-dense.        -   Diameter.—20-35 mm.        -   Length.—30-50 mm.        -   Color of peduncle.—146C.        -   Texture of peduncle.—Is smooth.        -   Color of pedicel.—146C.        -   Texture of pedicel.—Is smooth.-   Flowers:    -   -   Length of bud.—Medium (to 15 mm), bud shape tubular, oblong            with acute apex.        -   Bud color.—Green 138A (calyx) with white 155D corolla.        -   Length of corolla tube.—Medium to long (to 15 mm).        -   Width of corolla tube.—Medium to broad (to 11 mm).        -   Corolla aperture.—Diameter 3-4 mm.        -   Color of corolla.—White 155D.        -   Anthocyanin coloration of corolla.—Absent.        -   Corolla ridges.—Present.        -   Protusion of stigma.—Absent.        -   Fragrance.—Weak.        -   Shape.—Urceolate.        -   Abundance of pollen.—High.        -   Calyx (with sepals) diameter.—5-6 mm.        -   Calyx color.—Green 138A.-   Productivity: 3 to 4 kg per season from 3-4 year old plants planted    at 3.0 m×0.9 m density.-   Cold hardiness: RIDLEY 1111 has not been grown in all environments    including harsh winter environments. Cold tolerance is expected to    be low.-   Chilling requirement: RIDLEY 1111 has not been grown in all    environments and is typically grown as an evergreen crop where    chilling hours are not important. RIDLEY 1111 is classed as ‘low    chill’, typical of Southern Highbush Blueberry varieties with an    estimated chilling requirement of 250 hours (not tested).-   Leafing: Plants retain leaves year round (at Lindendale, NSW    Australia) and RIDLEY 1111 is grown commercially as an evergreen    crop. New leafing occurs in mid to late August at Lindendale, NSW    Australia.-   Fruit:    -   -   Unripe fruit color intensity.—Light.        -   Unripe fruit color.—144A.        -   Cluster density.—Is dense.        -   Diameter.—Is medium (mean 17.3 mm).        -   Weight.—Medium (approximately 2.1 g).        -   Shape.—Oblate.        -   Attitude of calyx.—Erect.        -   Diameter of calyx basin.—Medium (mean 7 mm).        -   Depth of calyx basin.—Is shallow (to 1.5 mm).        -   Intensity of bloom.—Strong.        -   Intensity of blue color of skin with bloom removed.—Is very            dark.        -   Color of skin.—202A.        -   Sweetness when ripe.—Medium to high.        -   Color of flesh when ripe.—Yellow green 145D to yellow green            150D.        -   Firmness when ripe.—Firm.        -   Acidity when ripe.—Medium.        -   Size of scar.—Is small (1.0-1.5 mm).        -   Storage quality.—Good.        -   Date of 50% maturity.—Approximately 15^(th) August at            Lindendale, NSW Australia.        -   Fruit development period.—Approximately 55 days in protected            cultivation at Lindendale, NSW Australia.-   Seed:    -   -   Seed color.—Greyed orange 165B.        -   Seed abundance in fruit.—Medium.        -   Seed size.—1.6-1.8 mm long for fully developed seeds.

TABLE 1 Comparison with other varieties (extract from Australian PBRdata) Organ/Plant Part: Context Ridley 1111 C99-42 Jewel Snowchaser*Plant: vigour strong medium medium to medium strong *Plant: growthhabit semi upright semi semi semi upright upright upright *Leaf: lengthmedium to medium medium long long Leaf: width medium to narrow to mediumbroad broad medium *Leaf: shape elliptic elliptic elliptic ellipticLeaf: colour of green green green green upper side *Leaf: intensity ofmedium medium light medium green colour on upper side (varieties withgreen leaf colour only) *Leaf: margin entire entire entire entire*Flower: size of medium to medium small to medium corolla tube largemedium *Flower: absent or absent or absent or absent or anthocyanin veryweak very weak very weak very weak colouration of corolla tube Flower:ridges on present present present present corolla tube Flower: protusionof absent absent present absent stigma Fruit cluster: density densedense dense medium *Unripe fruit: light light light light intensity ofgreen colour *Fruit: size medium to medium to medium to medium to largelarge large large *Fruit: shape in oblate round round round longitudinalsection Fruit: attitude of erect erect erect erect sepals Fruit:diameter of medium to medium medium large calyx basin large Fruit: depthof calyx medium medium medium shallow basin *Fruit: intensity of strongstrong strong strong bloom *Fruit: colour of dark blue dark blue darkblue dark blue skin Fruit: firmness firm firm firm firm *Fruit:sweetness medium to low to medium medium to high medium high *Fruit:acidity medium medium high medium Fruit: size of scar small small smallsmall Fruit: average 2.1 1.6 2.3 2.2 weight of ripe berry (g) *Time of:beginning very early very early early to very early of flowering on toearly medium current year?s shoot (varieties which fruit on one-year-oldand current season?s shoots only) *Time of: beginning very early earlymid very early of fruit ripening on season current year?s shoot(varieties which fruit on one-year-old and current season?s shoots)

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Vaccinium hybridplant named ‘RIDLEY 1111’, substantially as herein shown and described.